Asian Group
Related: About this forumThe Land without Muslims
There are countries in the world, mainly in Europe, that are presently undergoing significant cultural transformations as a result of Muslim immigration. France, Germany, Belgium and Holland are interesting examples of cases where immigration from Muslim countries, together with the Muslims high fertility rate, effects every area of life.
It is interesting to know that there is a country in the world whose official and public approach to the Muslim matter is totally different. This country is Japan. This country keeps a very low profile on all levels regarding the Muslim matter: On the diplomatic level, senior political figures from Islamic countries almost never visit Japan, and Japanese leaders rarely visit Muslim countries. The relations with Muslim countries are based on concerns such as oil and gas, which Japan imports from some Muslim countries. The official policy of Japan is not to give citizenship to Muslims who come to Japan, and even permits for permanent residency are given sparingly to Muslims.
Japan forbids exhorting people to adopt the religion of Islam (Dawah), and any Muslim who actively encourages conversion to Islam is seen as proselytizing to a foreign and undesirable culture. Few academic institutions teach the Arabic language. It is very difficult to import books of the Quran to Japan, and Muslims who come to Japan, are usually employees of foreign companies. In Japan there are very few mosques. The official policy of the Japanese authorities is to make every effort not to allow entry to Muslims, even if they are physicians, engineers and managers sent by foreign companies that are active in the region. Japanese society expects Muslim men to pray at home.
Japanese companies seeking foreign workers specifically note that they are not interested in Muslim workers. And any Muslim who does manage to enter Japan will find it very difficult to rent an apartment. Anywhere a Muslim lives, the neighbors become uneasy. Japan forbids the establishment of Islamic organizations, so setting up Islamic institutions such as mosques and schools is almost impossible. In Tokyo there is only one imam.
http://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/opinions/the-land-without-muslims/2013/05/19/0/
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)The local university, for example, has quite a few students from Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh. Japan also has good relations with Turkey. At the same time, however, I know of Japanese companies that have had difficulties in Islamic countries, and the two Japanese guys getting their heads chopped off by ISIS terrorists didn't help matters much.
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)But what surprised me here in Fukuoka is that the contract workers they bring in are Nepalese and Hindu.
An interesting part of the article.
I think the point of the article was who gets permanent residency here, students are expected to go home after their studies.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)as anyone with a butsudan in their home will tell you. Their world concept may be connected to the material, which is the role of the Shinto religion. But the otherworldly is the realm of the Buddhist religion, and Japanese will pray to Hotoke-sama (the Buddha) to ensure that their deceased relatives can remain in Gokuraku (the Land of Happiness).
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)In the form of a statue usually.
Just got back from Ise visiting the main shinto temples. Beautiful area.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)They wouldn't allow photos to be taken of the main shrine.
Down the road a little bit is one of the most famous places for Japanese pearl diving in the past, and pearl culturing in the present. Just offshore is the Meoto-jinguu
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)Saw the husband and wife rock and the frog shrine it's very pretty. Wish I could speak Japanese as well as you do. Did the 12 day JR Rail pass. I'll post a travel log when I get a chance.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)I made it all the way to Northern Hokkaido and Western Kyushu one year on a rail pass.
I wish I could qualify for one now.
yuiyoshida
(41,835 posts)This was fascinating, thanks for posting this.